First of all, the Checkers aren’t going anywhere. But if you haven’t heard the news, major uncertain changes are coming to Charlotte’s hockey team. The Carolina Hurricanes, the Charlotte Checkers’ parent NHL club, is close to a deal with AHL’s Chicago Wolves that would move their affiliation to the Windy City. For a decade the Checkers have been the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes and it looks certain that will now change. The changes won’t be officially announced until the end of this season, which actually could be as early as next week.

So, why move the affiliation of a professional team located in Raleigh, NC to Chicago? Well, as you may have guessed, money is always at the root of every business decision. The Hurricanes and Checkers struggled to extend their deal this past offseason before they agreed on a one-year, last minute deal. And the Chicago Wolves would pay the Hurricanes a larger affiliation fee. So, there you go.

But money aside, these changes are ridiculous. Geographically speaking, having a Charlotte-based affiliate of a franchise located in Raleigh made perfect sense. A huge benefit to the Hurricanes was the efficiency of being able to transfer players from the Checkers to their roster and be ready to play the next game. Forget having to take a plane, the two cities are driving distance away. If the Hurricanes need a player to fill in later that day or night, going from Charlotte to Raleigh is very, very quick. That’s not quite the case from Chicago. There will be bad weather and airport delays that will make that process more complicated.

And also geographically speaking, it made perfect sense because of the crossover of the fanbase. A lot of Checkers fans were Hurricanes fans as well, with both teams being based in North Carolina. Each team was the home team for fans. It was really cool for fans to cheer for players at the AHL level and still being able to root for them at the next level. It created a harmonious situation between the two hockey clubs from North Carolina where you could really invest in getting to know the players because they would still be “yours” if they got the call up.

The question now becomes, “what’s next for the Checkers?” It looks like when things all become official, the Charlotte Checkers will become the affiliate team for the Florida Panthers. My instant reaction, as well as many others I’m sure, is “please not the Florida Panthers.” Can you name a less exciting franchise? At least if we’re going to do this change let’s get a cool team like the Blackhawks, Flyers, Rangers, or something. But the Panthers? That’s like getting recycled trash. I mean, give us the Lightning for crying out loud.

But it looks as if this is all going to happen and Checkers fans will have to get to know new players and coaches. I really enjoyed covering the Checkers these last two years and writing about some of the great players week after week. I don’t want to see these guys put on another uniform. I don’t want to have to get to know new players. But that’s the way she goes. This last month and a half of no hockey will make us all appreciate having to pull for future Florida Panthers a little bit more. Let’s go Checkers.

Garett

Uncertain Future for the Charlotte Checkers